Unicycle.



. APPLIGATION FILED AUG.30, 1911.

G. T. GOATES.

UNIGYOLE.

Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

umcionn To all a hom it may eoncemr Be it known'that 1,1 CLINTON T. GoA' riss, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis city, State of Missouri, have invented new andusefullmprovements in Unicycles, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to 'unicycles, and" more particularly to the class of motor propelled' unicycles.

The primary object of the invention is theprov'ision of a unicycle of this character being designed to operate a propeller for advancing the wheel.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a unicycle which is simple in construction, 'stron'g,.durable, easily ridden, and that :uiay be manufactured at a mimi "'mum expense.

' lVith these and other objects in view,the invention consistsin the construction, com bination and arrangement'ofpar'ts,'as will beher'einaftermore fully described, illustrated'in the accompanying. drawings, and

pointeclout in the claim hereunto appended.

Inthe drawings: Flg'ure' 1 1s a side elevation of a unicycle constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is :3 top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is avertical transverse sectional viewthrough the same. Fig. dis a horizontal transverse sectional view'thereof. Fig. is a rear elevation;

Similar reference charact'ersindicate con-1 responding parts" throughout the several views of the ch-wings.

Referring to the drawings-by numerals," I the unicycle comprises-"a single-wheelv 10, in

cluding a ri'mll formed with 'a tire receivk in'g se'ator chaIiliellQ, in \vhicli'isgdisposed a cushioned or fotll'erresilieiit tire 13, which maybe "of any ordinary "well-known con struction, the rim 11 being form'edon its inner sidewith a medial annular flangel l, the same being provided with a plurality of spaced "openings 15 arrangedintermediate s ecification of Letters Patent. Application'filed Augustso, 1911. Serial No. 646,807;

, 24 bein Patented D sc; 3, 1912.

its inner and outer edges, thereby minimizing the weight of the wheel without affecting the strength thereof.

Supported by the wheel 10 is a frame structure, comprising outwardly bul ed side bars 16, the ends thereof being suitaily united to the bearings 17, from which extend downwardly converging bars 18, the same beingalso connected to bearings 19.-

The bearings 17 and 19 overlap. the said flange 14 for a distance at opposite sides thereof, for a purpose presently described.

Mounted in the bearings 17 and .19, 'respectively, are transverse journals 20, on which are rotatably mounted friction rollers 21,'the latter being adapted to traverse the inner edge of the flange 14, when the wheel 10 is in motion. Surrounding the journals 20, at their ends engaged in the bearings 17 and 19, are the usual bearing balls 22, the

latterbeing supported in the hearings in any suitable manner, and are employed for reducingfriction, as usual.

In the bearings 17 and 19 are formed suitable elongated slots 23, throughwhich pro jeet friction rollers 24, the same beingv mounted uponv axles 25-suitably journaled in bearings 26 mounted upon the overlapped ends of" the bearings 17 and 19, the rollers faces the flange Hot the wheel 10 and prevent any lateral displacement of the frame structure, during the travel of the wheel'. I I

Rising centrally from the bearings 19 are upwardly diverging uprights 27, the

same being connected medially to vthe'side 'bars 16 of the frame structure, and arranged between these uprights 27 is a motor 28 of any desired type, the drive shaft 29 being provided'with a pinion 30 meshing with a pinion 31 fixed to the inner end of the propellershaft 32 Imounted in bearings 33, the

outer end of the propeller shaft 32being provided with a paddle or propeller wheel adapted to travel upon opposite 34 disposed'rearwardly of the wheel 10 which is designed to travel over the ground surface, the motor being controlled for the starti'ng and stopping thereof in any suitiable manner.

Fix'ed'to the side bars 16, rearwardly of the plane ofthe motor, is a riders seat 35 to be occupied by the rider or operator of the machine; Arranged at opposite sides of and exteriorly of the framestructure are i-earw ardly diverging skid arms 36, the

' may be lifted from the ground, and uponpullin 1 during the momentum thereof. It is clearly ;rider or operator of the machine, the skid arms 36 being pivotally connected by means of the. cross rung 39 for independent movement with respect to each other, the said cross rung 39 being journaled transversely of the frame structure in suitable bearings 40 mounted upon the side bars 16 of the said frame structure/ Thus it willbe seen that upon exerting downward pressure upon either of the handle bars 38, the shoes 37 upwardly on'either of the handle bars, 1; e said shoes 37- will be brought into contact with the ground, and in this manner the wheel 10 may be properly guided in the desired course.

Secured tonne of the bars'18 of the frame structure at one side thereof is a forwardly directed front footrest ll, while secured to one of the bars 18 at the opposite side of the frame structure is a 'rearwardly directed foot rest 42, and in' both of these footrest-s are adapted to engage the feet of the rider, when positioned or" mounted upon the seat. 35 on the frame structure.

Suitably fixed to the rearmost bars 18 is a rearwardly directed rest leg 43, the same being extended beyond the tread portion of the tire 13 and is formed with an upwardly curved foot 44;, the latter carrying a resilient skid wing 45 which serves as a brake when contacting with the ground, and also prevents any possibility of the propeller wheel 34 striking the'ground on the slight'rocking of the frame structure in the wheel.

It is evident that when the rider is occupying the scat he may slide forwardly or backwardly to balance himself, thereby throwinghis weight upon eitherthe forward foot rest 41 or the rear foot rest 42. The 'law of gravity will sustain the frame structure'at the lower half of the wheel 10,

Evident that the machine may travel at a l high rate of sp ced with the utilization of the least possible motive power, as the air resistance is reduced to a minimum. The tire 13 carried by the rinr12 of th wheel 10 will absorb all shocks and jars inwheel.

What is claimed is:

A unicycle comprising 'a wheel having an internal. annular flange, a frame arranged within the wheel and having outwardly bowed side bar-sand also downwardly con-- verging bars, terminal plates connecting the said side and converging bars and having circular portions, friction rollers journaled between the circular portions of the said plates and adapted to travel on the flange,

a seat superimposed upon the outwardly rods pivotally connected in the frame for independent movement and having ground engaging shoes at their lower ends, brake means projecting rcarwardly from the said frame and having resilient wings at their free ends and motor operated propulsion means mounted on the frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix 'my'signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLINTON T. COATES.

Witnesses ALLEN BIN nnrfr, EDITH BINKLEY. 

